Dear Mr. President-elect: Readers offer their requests

The Olympian • Published November 08, 2008

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South Sound readers were asked what steps Presidentelect Barack Obama should take to aid the economy.

They replied through The Olympian's Reader Network. Following are some of their thoughts; to read more, go to www.theolympian.com.

Take cue from economic experts: I feel Presidentelect Obama would be very wise to take some advice from Mitt Romney and other experts on the economy: Lower taxes on employers to create incentives to add jobs. Put in place a health care plan that lets individuals buy their own insurance and keeps the burden off employers. Invest in truly becoming energy independent, which lowers our energy prices and makes it more attractive to do business in this country. Do not continue to force the taxpayers to pay for the medical costs of illegal aliens and other costs as well. At this point, we are sailing downhill into not just a recession but a depression on the grand scale. Annette Curran, McCleary

Get money into circulation: Get the “giveaway” monies into the hands of the people by providing wages and employment. In order to improve the economy, we need to get money into circulation. Giving banks and large business money to loan only further restricts the flow of cash. All money in the bailout program should be used to create jobs and wages. Unemployed wage earners don’t buy cars and houses. Banks, auto dealers and insurance companies just collect more interest and take money out of circulation. Joe Masters

End the war.

Liz Ellis, Shelton

No bailouts: My advice is STOP THE BAILOUTS! These companies are going under for a reason — bad management, short sighted decisions, etc. The bailouts will only prolong the agony and not cure anything. Chrysler was bailed out in the ’70s — well, they’re back looking for more! Without the bailouts, it’ll be painful — but for a shorter period of time and the recovery will be quicker.

Jim Groebner, Tumwater

Smaller government: President-elect Obama should cut or slice ineffective or unimportant government programs to reduce government spending and, correspondingly, our huge national budget deficit.

Dave Dressel, Olympia